INDUSTRYNEWS
AWARD FOR PLASTICS INNOVATION AND DESIGN 2016
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THE PRESTIGIOUS HORNERS Award is run jointly with the British Plastics Federation ( BPF ) and the Worshipful Company of Horners ( an ancient guild and livery company of the City of London ) and is awarded for innovation in plastics design and manufacture or in the processing of plastics .
The prestigious award is believed to be the longest established Design Award for Plastics in the world . The award is for any polymer based product and includes polymer related machines or processes . It is a cornerstone of
the Horners many activities supporting Design and Education in the Plastics Industry . The first competition was held in 1947 , attracting some 14 entries . Since that point the award has gone from strength to strength .
Entries will be judged on design innovation , demonstrable commercial potential and environmental advantage .
This award offers an excellent opportunity for UK companies ( designers , manufacturers or material suppliers ) to demonstrate their expert skills , knowledge and innovation within the plastics industry .
‘ the award has gone from strength to strength ’
The awards are now open - Closing date is 31st July 2016 .
http :// www . bpf . co . uk / Events / The _ Horners _ Award / Default . aspx
Calls for investment in neglected rural roads
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A NEW REPORT BY THE Federation of Small Businesses ( FSB ) shows that half of all small firms think the UK ’ s roads and public transport system have deteriorated in recent years .
FSB found small businesses are overwhelmingly reliant on roads , with nine in 10 firms ( 89 %) placing high value on the network . Rural businesses are even more likely to rely on roads as they often report little or no access to public transport links like rail or buses .
The FSB report , ‘ Going the extra mile : Connecting businesses and rural communities ,’ demonstrates how congestion , poorly maintained local roads , and a lack of regional strategic planning are all combining to pose a significant economic barrier to economic growth , particularly in rural areas . Mike Cherry , National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses ( FSB ), said : “ The Government is investing in transport but the lion ’ s share goes to big flagship projects on the strategic road network . Most small businesses mainly rely on their local roads and public transport , so there is a strong case to prioritise investment in these smaller projects , which will help to alleviate congestion and bottlenecks .”
www . fsb . org . uk
SME Businesses Rise as Start-ups Spring Up
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OWNING YOUR OWN business is as popular as ever . Britain ’ s start-up scene is showing no signs of slowing down . As trends change and workers become fed up of the corporate world , small businesses are being founded as new found entrepreneurs want to become their own boss .
600,000 new companies were started last year , a rise by over
3 % from the previous . These emerging businesses contain the potential to grow and become the bedrock of our changing economy . On paper over 99 % of UK businesses are SME ’ s , employing 15.6 million people with a combined annual turnover of £ 1.8 trillion .
Since the financial crash in 2008 , demand for alternative finance is higher than it ever has been , as banks are unable to fully assist with the needs of young and emerging SME businesses . For 12 years , Business Enterprise Fund ( BEF ) has grown to cover Yorkshire and the North East of England and offers loans up to £ 150,000 for new and growing businesses . 2000 jobs have been safeguarded or created as a
result , amounting to nearly £ 7 million in the last year alone , £ 1.8 million of which in Start Up Loans .
Source : www . befund . org
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